Bradenton · Sarasota · Anna Maria Island

Things to do in Bradenton tonight

Movies, comedy, live shows, museums and waterfront dining, all in one simple list. Pick a category and go.

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The Manatee River and DeSoto Bridge seen from the Bradenton Riverwalk
The Manatee River from the Bradenton Riverwalk

Pick your night

MoviesRegal Oakmont, AMC Bradenton 20, Lakewood Ranch Cinemas, Burns Court, Regal Hollywood5 theaters →ComedyMcCurdy's Comedy Theatre, Funny Bone Tampa2 clubs →The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall's scalloped roofline in SarasotaStage & concertsVan Wezel, Asolo Rep, Manatee PAC, Municipal Auditorium, Ruth Eckerd Hall5 venues →Entrance of The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Bradenton, shown under its former South Florida Museum nameMuseums & planetariumThe Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, The Ringling2 museums →Clock tower on the Bradenton Beach pierLive music & beach diningBeachHouse, The Sandbar, Mar Vista3 spots →Fairgrounds & arenaRobarts Arena and the Sarasota County FairgroundsEvent calendar →Palm-lined path on the Bradenton Riverwalk beside the Manatee RiverOutdoorsThe Riverwalk, Gulf beaches and shark's-tooth hunting in Venice4 places →Poker chips and a hand of cards on a felt tablePokerOne-Eyed Jack's, Hard Rock Tampa, TGT Poker, Win! Derby4 rooms →

New for the 2026 holiday season

Holiday nights in Bradenton

The boat parade is Saturday, Dec. 12. Winter Wonderland is Dec. 5, and Palma Sola’s lights run Dec. 17–20. We’ve gathered every confirmed date in one place.

Christmas lights & boat paradeWhere to watch the lighted boats, tree lightings and drive-through shows.New Year’s Eve 2026Fireworks on the Riverwalk, the Oyster Drop and Sarasota’s Pineapple Drop.Live music tonightWho’s playing on Bridge Street, in Cortez and on the river, night by night.Date night ideasSunset dinners, shows and recliner movies. Sunset is 5:46 p.m. after Nov 1.

Coming up

Full calendar →

Area guides

Where to go, where to park and what's nearby.

Riverwalk sign tower at Bradenton's Riverwalk plaza on the Manatee RiverDowntown & RiverwalkBradenton's riverfront park, Old Main Street and The Bishop.Welcome sign and painted cottages in Bradenton's Village of the ArtsVillage of the ArtsGalleries and studios in restored cottages.Sea oats and white sand on an Anna Maria Island beachAnna Maria IslandBradenton Beach, the Sandbar and Gulf sunsets.Lakewood Ranch Main StreetDinner, then a movie at Lakewood Ranch Cinemas.Main Street in downtown SarasotaDowntown SarasotaMcCurdy's, Burns Court and the Van Wezel.

Check the sky

Getting around

Quick answers

When is the Bradenton holiday boat parade?

The Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade is Saturday, December 12, 2026, on the river between Palmetto and Bradenton. Watch free from the Bradenton Riverwalk or the Palmetto Pier.

Where can I see Christmas lights in Bradenton?

Palma Sola Botanical Park’s Winter Nights Under the Lights runs Dec. 17–20, 2026, 6–9 p.m. (free), and Winter Wonderland brings snow to Old Main Street on Dec. 5.

What is there to do in Bradenton at night?

Catch a movie at Regal Oakmont or AMC Bradenton 20, see stand-up at McCurdy's in Sarasota, take in a show at the Van Wezel or the Manatee Performing Arts Center, or head to Anna Maria Island for dinner on the sand.

Which movie theater is closest to Anna Maria Island?

Regal Oakmont on Cortez Road West in Bradenton, about a 20-minute drive from the island.

Where is the planetarium in Bradenton?

At The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature (formerly the South Florida Museum), 201 10th Street West in downtown Bradenton.

Where can I find shark teeth near Bradenton?

Caspersen Beach in Venice, about 45 minutes south, is the best-known spot for fossil shark teeth.